KARACHI: New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell on Sunday said Pakistan has world-class players who can pose a threat to New Zealand in the upcoming two-match Test series.
The Kiwi all-rounder during an interview… Geo News Ahead of the first Test in Karachi, he said that everyone in the New Zealand camp was excited to come to Pakistan and experience Test cricket for the first time.
“Obviously it’s a proud nation and we’re really looking forward to playing the two Tests and seeing what happens,” he said.
The 31-year-old, who has played 12 Tests for the Kiwis, said New Zealand will not take the home side lightly in the upcoming series despite being whitewashed by England recently.
“I think Pakistan have a lot of world-class players and for us, we know how difficult it is to come here and the conditions are completely different to what we’re used to back in New Zealand.”
“So, it’s a new day, a new series and you’re not looking too far behind and not too far ahead. I’m really looking forward to playing Pakistan, we know there’s a lot of danger with both the bat and the ball.” They said.
Asked about the wickets and conditions in Pakistan, Mitchell said the pitches are very different from what he is used to back home in New Zealand.
“There can be too little bounce and too much slack as a Test match goes on. So, for us, it’s an interesting challenge,” Mitchell said.
“That’s the only reason you play Test cricket, to travel around the world and experience different conditions and different teams and test yourself against the best teams around the world. So, I know,” he said. That as a group we’re really looking forward to it.”
When asked what his personal goals would be in the series, the all-rounder said he just wants to try to win small moments for his country and hopefully that means winning a Test match.
“If we can do the right things and the basics over a long period of time, we’ll go a long way to doing that,” he said.
“I’m happy to keep going and take every run that comes, again, not get too ahead of myself or look too far in the past. It’s just about seeing the ball and working on every ball and Hopefully I can do that many times to come,” he concluded.